The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-14
Fhey Attempt to Cry Him Down While He Is
Addressing The Joint Convention-Can
vass of Returns Accomplished.
Demagogic Effort to Recede from the Po-
Sition Attained by the ConspiratOrs.
Lively Debate in the House on the Jewett
Ecsout0ns-Three Contests Referred to
the Committee Oh Elections.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ROBERTSON.

The Democratic members came to the House, !
yesterday. to cause what trouble and delay they
could. The galleries and lobby were crowded
with spectators, while leading politicians were
about in available positions to give what infu-
ence belonged to their presence. While the in
terest was keen, it wanted that feverish charac-
Ter that was observable on Thursday aud Friday
last. Except the Republicans, who knew that
the vote would be counted aud Colonel Robert
sop declared Lieutenant governor, no one seemed
to be possessed of any prophecy as to probable
occurrences. The Democrats did not show earn
est sympathy with the acts Of their Senators, or
desire to do more than formally protest against
the canvass. This party in the House has many
who feel sore at the acts Of the Democratic Sen
ators in laying out the plans, giving the orders
and bringing the Representatives up to party
discipline without the favor of being in the least
consulted as to what should be done. Although
Representative Kellison was intrusted with the
resolution of protest he, it is understood,
sumed the duty of presenting it with silent
protest to the act of protesting. Before the
House came to order he was heard to say: 1--WE
have not been notified of the adjournment of the
Senate, and are supposed to know nothing of the
plans or purposes of the members In that
body. We are not certain of legal
majority, aud the Democratic Representatives
will regard the canvass of the returns ac-
complished fact. just as forcible rs if the Demo
cratic Senators had united with US for that pur-
pose, as the Constitution requires"
Representative Jewett said: The canvass is
y mere matter of form and cannot be inyaldated
there was vacancy, Colonel Robertson is Lien
tenant governor taking the oath, canvass or
no canvass We are not bound by the acts of
the Senate
Directly after prayer by the Rev. E. J. CAN'T,
Che Door keeper stepped to the front of the
Speakers chair and announced the presence of
1he Senate At this, Kellson, of Marshall
aounty. arose and called ''Mr. Speaker" to which
the presiding officer paid little attention if
the call came from one not a member. The Re-
publican Senators then came in and took seats
to the right of the Chair during which Kellison
vainly sought the Speakers attention.
His words fell upon ears closed
80 any business, but that of can
vassing tho vote for Lieutenant governor I'M
til he nonchaantly turned to the persistent
member, saying, I'm moment" Within a
minute he announced that the business of the
morning. was to canvass the vote, at which kelli-
son again tried to be heard You out of
order" replied the Speaker and at this Worrall.
of Monroe, came to the assistance of the mem
Der frora Marshall but both we're compelled to
take their seats under the emphatic ruling of
the Speaker They took their defeat good
humorcdly, while Jewett, of Floyd and Gordon,
Of Putnam, oblivious of the record the Senate
majority had made. drew in their lips, stared
angrily at the cause Of their discontinue, and
submitted to the canvass of the returns which
the Speaker began with but short prelminar:es
while the clerk recorded the figures.
The reading of the returns consumed hall
hour, and at the close, while the clerk was max
ing his additions, Representative tewett ad
dressed the Speaker, but was told that nothing
would he in order until the canvass was com
pleted. Patton, of Sullivan. and Gordon o.
Putnam, also made wild efforts at disturbing
the progress of the business. but the Speaker
without ruf1ng a hair, caused them all to keel
quiet Following this came the declaration of tn,
vote by the Speaker, in which it was shown tina
Robert s. Robertson had received 232, 9l6 vote
aud John c. Nelson 229. 593, giving the former
majority of 1923 The oath of office was the,
administered to Colonel Robertson by Judg
Walker of the Superior Court upon this,
continued the Speaker, II declare Robert S
Robertson the Lieutenant governor Of the Stat
OF Indiana, and he will now address you" Not
outstanding their disposition to arraign thei
own party in the Senate for its failure to invit
them into caucuses, conferences and consulta
tions, all of this was wormwood to the Demo
cratic members They were becoming heated
aud they only waited for someone to take tn
lead in ar effort to break the joint convention
Representative Gordon thought the opportunit
had come when Lieutenant governor Robertso
brought his splendid physique, calm address an
GeRtlemanly bearing to the front of the desk
Quickly picking up the gave which, for tn
time being, had been laid down by Speake
Say7ee, lie gave moderate rap on the block jus
as Representative Gordon. stepping into the aisl
lrom MS desk and raising his right arm cried
MI Speaker" acknowledgements Robertson
unmcyed, with not the slightest twitching
iecial muscle or any other sign of excitemen
looked quietly to the center of the House an
continued his raDping, which never went aboy
the noise the repeated pounding the oriiinar
peatihe OF hammer would produce. Repr
tentative Jewett did not think his colleague fror
Putnam equal to the occasion. althoua
ne MANAGED to get in Il protest
and stepping into the aisle with hi
usual good temper overturned by partisan yet
and the crack Of the party lash, shouted: al
Speaker. Mr. Speaker, We do not recognize Il,
Isgalty at this joint convention, and pointing
the Republican Senators, when there is i
representation OF the Senate except the .ag en-
ffthat body. We protest against this usurratio
Oh power. this disorganizaton and oyecturni1
o. precedent and law" This was the signal f,
avery Democrat to arise to his feet Applaus
vas started when Colonel Robertson was d
aated the Leuienanigovernor. 1t came with
uHsoundng burst from galleries and lobb,
put when Representative JeNett began his boi
lerons pefioes there was applause in less degre
uoup1ed by the on.inous force of Kisses M
froans. His pride smarted under this evidenc
= disappreval of his threatening method b,
AIaiiled, under eounter-appause. quickly fe
yNee by misses and more groans. Represent